The Art of Shameless Self Promoting - Part 1
You dieted. You did loads of double cardio. You placed pretty well in your competition. Now it’s all over…and it seems no one remembers your name. Why is that?
Why is it important to self promote? Magazines today are generally focused on only using winners of the biggest national and international competitions. Fresh faces aren’t getting opportunities like they once used to, so now it’s up to YOU to get your name out there . However, there are many ways to be seen these days. And lucky for you, the internet is open 24/7 to the whole wide world.
1.Shoot, shoot, shoot! When you look your best, shoot!
I met a girl a few months ago at my gym…an amazing looking girl. Lean, blonde, tan, a near perfect body - although she thought she had to improve her legs - and I asked her when her next competition was.
“Three weeks,” she said.
“Oh, so you’re doing your photoshoots now, right?”
“No. I couldn’t afford to get my pictures done this time.”
What? WHAT?!?
OK, fit freaks…why on earth would you diet that hard if you’re not going to take it to the next level? If done right, more people online would see your competition photos than your actual competition. And you never know who is watching.
Here’s a big tip: When you look like you do, you don’t HAVE to pay someone to shoot you. Get a profile up at any of the many model/photographer sites, such as ModelMayhem.com, and local photographers will probably line up to photograph you.
“TFP” & “TFCD” means “Trade for Promo/CD”. This means you trade your time for the photos. Use common sense and check photographer references. Also, many photographers want nudes. Don’t feel obligated to do anything you’re not comfortable with. You never know where they’ll end up later. And be very clear before you shoot about finding out exactly where your photos will be used and how fast you’ll get the shots. You should receive your pictures within 48 hours. Your abs may not last. Makes sure the images from that time do.
2. Social Networking.
This is a big one. You can now link Twitter to Facebook (and Tumblr) if you like and just update one social avenue. There’s also HootSuite, which will allow you to release timed tweets and manage your pages. 
Find a balance between you ‘The Person’ and you ‘The Fitness Freak’. Don’t go all business (“Buy my stuff!!”) and don’t go all personal (“My boyfriend is a real nag.” <--Boring!) Be real, but be interesting and engaging.
Truthfully, not many people can relate to what we do…nor are they willing to put in the time and sacrifice it takes to get fit on our level, so get them to relate to who you are as a human being. Tip: Give advice and diet tips. People will follow and retweet you if you GIVE them things they can use.
3. For the love of God, say THANK YOU.
I am often on both sides of the lens these days. I shot a female wrestler on trade last year, then sent her all her photos as soon as I got home from Europe. I hadn’t even unpacked, I just remember she begged me to send them as fast as I could. I heard nothing back. I emailed again, thinking she didn’t get what I’d sent her. Nada. I checked her facebook, and all the photos were posted. Amazing. (But, some people are raised…and others just get older.)
If someone mentions you online, gives you photos, does anything that promotes you, gets you booked…frigging thank them! Quickly, too! A simple ‘thank you’ means a lot and will help you down the road. If they do something really nice for you, write them a card, take them a coffee, treat them to lunch or send a gift. I can’t tell you how many times I’m amazed that something like saying “thank you” isn’t basic common sense.
Stay Hard!
-April Hunter
Professional Wrestler, Pinup Centerfold, National Figure Athlete & Photographer/Writer
Please check out http://www.AprilHunter.com
& follow me on http://www.Twitter.com/AprilHunter
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Official-April-Hunter-fan-page/108408215856352
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